Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha that commercial satellite launches generated USD 143 million (₹1,240 crore) in foreign exchange revenue between 2015 and 2024. During this time, ISRO successfully launched 393 foreign satellites and three Indian customer spacecraft on PSLV, LVM3, and SSLV rockets.
India has offered satellite launch services to 34 countries, with the United States leading with 232 spacecraft, followed by the United Kingdom (83), Singapore (19), and several others, including Canada, South Korea, Germany, and Japan. Space cooperation agreements have been inked with 61 countries and five international organisations, addressing satellite navigation, communications, planetary exploration, and remote sensing.
India’s space sector has reached key milestones. In 2023, ISRO successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 at the Moon’s South Pole and launched Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission. Now, the government is preparing for Gaganyaan, its first human spaceflight mission, which is planned to launch this year. The Russian-trained astronauts will orbit the Earth before safely returning.
India’s ambitious aims include creating the ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. The country’s private space sector is also growing, strengthening its status as a major worldwide player in the space industry.
